New animal bylaw caps number of dogs, chickens and other animals you can own in Brampton

From dogs and cats to chickens and pigeons, the city has set a cap on the number of critters you can own with an overhaul of Brampton’s animal services bylaw.

The new, all-encompassing animal bylaw was approved by Brampton City Council on Wednesday and sets a maximum of six animals permitted per household, with a limit of no more than three dogs.

Dogs on a property who are not leashed must be contained by an enclosure, fenced area or tether, according to the bylaw.

The update also means residents with more than two backyard hens or pigeons will now need to apply for a licence while residents with two or fewer hens or pigeons must have their coop registered.

Along with limits and restrictions on the number of animals permitted, the new bylaw also sets Basic Standards of Care for pets and requires all owners to provide animals with basic standards of care, including food and water, shelter, medical care and adequate space to naturally move or exercise.

The bylaw also updates rules around feeding wildlife, which is prohibited in Brampton as it can make wildlife too comfortable with humans.

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The city says it made the changes based on “best practices” that will bring better protection for residents and their animals.

Brampton has also revamped its pet licensing program by introducing new “smart tags” and more options for pet owners, along with higher fees. The new rules will let pet owners purchase a longer licence for up to two years with the renewal date set from the time of purchase.

But moving to the new system also comes with an increase in charges as the annual rate for a dog that has been sterilized and microchipped has increased from $20 per year to $25 or $40 every two years, while cats that has been sterilized and microchipped would climb to $13 from $10.

All dogs and cats in Brampton must be registered under the city’s animal control bylaws, and Brampton has partnered with local businesses with the BluePaw program to give discounts to responsible pet owners and help promote pet licensing in Brampton.

Pet licensing can be done online, in person, by phone, or through the mail. For more information on the new animal services bylaw and pet licensing visit www.brampton.ca/animalservices.